Eplerenone prevents salt-induced vascular remodeling and cardiac fibrosis in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

Endemann, D.H., Touyz, R.M. , Iglarz, M., Savoia, C. and Schiffrin, E.L. (2004) Eplerenone prevents salt-induced vascular remodeling and cardiac fibrosis in stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats. Hypertension, 43(6), pp. 1252-1257. (doi: 10.1161/01.HYP.0000128031.31572.a3)

Abstract

We examined the effect of different levels of salt intake on the role of aldosterone on cardiac and vascular changes in salt-loaded stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP). Eleven-week-old SHRSP were fed high-salt (4.2% NaCl), normal-salt (0.28%), or low-salt (0.03%) diets with or without eplerenone (100 mg/kg per day, in food) for 5 weeks. A group of high-salt SHRSP was also treated with hydralazine (25 mg/kg per day). Blood pressure increased more in high-salt rats than in other groups (P<0.001). Eplerenone prevented further blood pressure rise in salt-loaded rats, with little effect on control and low-salt SHRSP. Increased media-to-lumen ratio of mesenteric resistance arteries induced by salt (P<0.01) was prevented by eplerenone (P<0.01). Maximal acetylcholine-induced vasodilation was impaired under salt loading (P<0.01), but improved under eplerenone (P<0.01). Eplerenone prevented (P<0.01) increased heart weight and left and right ventricular collagen deposition induced by high salt. Blood pressure lowering by hydralazine in high-salt SHRSP did not influence endothelial function or left ventricular collagen. Our study demonstrates salt-dependency of aldosterone effects on severity of hypertension, endothelial dysfunction, and cardiac and vascular remodeling in SHRSP. These effects were attenuated by eplerenone, particularly in the salt-loaded state, underlining the pathophysiological role of aldosterone in salt-sensitive hypertension.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Touyz, Professor Rhian
• Authors: Endemann, D.H., Touyz, R.M., Iglarz, M., Savoia, C., and Schiffrin, E.L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Hypertension
• ISSN: 0194-911X
• ISSN (Online): 1524-4563
• Published Online: 26 April 2004